Snow-melter.



C. L. MOORE.

SNOW MELTER.

APPLIOATIoN FILED ulm. 1909.

Patented Dec. 7, 1909.

/ f f l f l u a h n v n A u v atkzne 13 `UNrrED STATES yPATENT OEEIOE.

GLARENCE L. MOORE, OF BRO0KLYN, NEW YORK.

i SNOW-MELTEB.

lSpecification of Letters Patent.

Patented Dec. *7, 1909.

Application filed January 4, 1909. Serial No. 47t),6`32.

vcities in the disposition of snow, ice, and the like, to employ a large force of laborers and conveyances to transport the snow from the streets to a convenient dump, thus requiring a great deal f time and outlay of money in ridding the streets of this nuisance.

It 'is'the object of this invention to elininate the foregoing and other inherent disadvantages, and provide means which is portable in its nature, and may be tansferred from place to place to readily convert the snow, or ice as the -oase may be, into water, this method only necessitating the coperation of a minimum number of laborers and thiJ adaptation of an ordinary sewer-manho e.

To the accomplishment of the recited object and others cordinate therewith, the preferred embodiment of the invention resides in that construction and arrangement of parts hereinafter described, illustrated in the accompanying drawings and embraced within the scope of the appended claims.

In said drawings Figure 1 is a vertical sectional elevation of a sewer-manhole showing the embodiment of my invention. Fig. 2 1s a top plan view of the device removed, and Fig. 3 1s a longitudinal sectional View of the clamps employed in retaining the desired formation of the pipe coils.

Like reference characters designate corresponding parts throughout the several views.

Referring more particularly to the drawing for detailed description of my invention, the numeral 5 designates a spirally coiled ipe arranged to present the general conormation of an inverted cone, the whirls commencing at the bottom and progressively increasin in size, and the respective terminals cfg said pipe being equipped with an inlet valve 6 and an outlet valve 7. I have found it desirable, in order to retain the proper flexed relation of the coil, to utilize one or more clamps. In the present instance I have illustrated in the drawings the use of three clamps disposed at approximately angles of degrees, when considered with respect to the circular contour of the coil. Each clamp comprises in its construction an outer metallic bar 8 and an inner bar 9, the former having a. plurality of transversely arranged semi-circular depressions 10 along its longitudinal extent, and the latter having an ordinary metallic strip, both of said bars being joined together by bolts 11, which are arranged at suitable intervals in order to maintain a thoroughly compact assemblage at all times.

In conjunction with the aforesaid construction and arrangement I have devised a substantially frusto-conical shaped casing 12 with `lower outwardly flared curvilinear edges 13, to serve as a support and hopper or deflector for the melter proper. As

will be found upon an inspection of Fig. 1

of the drawings the lower extremital flared portion 13 of this hopper rests upon the rabbeted angular flange 14 of the sewermanhole 15 in such relation as to permit the lower extremity of the coil to protrude some distance within the sewer 16.

The operation of the device is as follows: In practical use steam is admitted by the proper manipulation of the valve 6 from any suitable source of supply to the coil pipe 5, whereupon a circulation of steam will ensue, the valve 7 having been previously adjusted to permit of the discharge of said steam. In a short period of time, in fact instantaneously, the coil will be heated to a high degree of temperature. The snow is then shoveled into the hopper 12 and it will appear manifest that as soon as the snow contacts with the coil it will be converted into water, which will obviously escape through the spaces intermediate the coils and thence into the main. If it is not found convenient to utilize steam as a heating medium resort can be had to the exhaust of a gasolene engine or the like. In short, my invention involves the elements of simplicity, utility, and economy, and may be adopted'generally as a means for ridding large cities of the accumulation of snow, and the resultant congestion of traffic.

It should be understood that in its broader aspect the invention comprehends the employment not only of the various means described, but of equivalent means for performing the recited functions. While the arrangement shown is thought, at the presenttime, to be preferable, it is desired to reserve the right to effect such modifications and variations thereof as may come fairly Within the scope of the appended claims.

Having thus described the invention, what is claimed as new, is

l. In a snow melter, the combination of a pipe bent spirally in the form of an invertedV cone and having a steam inlet and outlet, and means constituting a hopper and support for said pipe.

2. In a snow melter, lthe combination of a pipe bent spirally in the form of an inverted cone and having one end terminating in a steam inlet and-the other end terminating in a steam outlet and means constituting a hopper and support for said pipe.

3. In a snow melter, the combination of a pipe bent spirally in the form of an inverted cone and having a steam inlet and outlet, means for maintaining the whirls of said pipe in spaced relation, and means constituting a hopper and support for said pipe.

4. In a snow melter, the combination of a pipe bent spirally in the form of an inverted cone and having a steam inlet and outlet, clamps for maintaining the whirls of said pipe in spaced relation, and means constituting a hopper and support for said pipe.

5. In'asnow melter, the combination of a pipe bent spirally in the form of an inverted cone and having a steam inlet and outlet and casing inclosing a portion of said pipe and serving the dual function of a hopper and support.

6. The combination with a sewer-manhole, of a snow melter, and means constituting a hopper and support for said snow melter.

7. In a snow melter, the combination of a pipe bent spirally in the form of an inverted cone and having a steam inlet and outlet, clamps for maintaining the Whirls of said pipe in spaced relation, said clumps comprising a pair of bars, one of said bars having depressions which conform to the contour of the pipe, bolts for connecting the bars together, and means constituting a hopper and support for said pipe.

8. The combination with a sewer-man hole, of a snow melter, and a substantially V. D. MACUMBER. 

